The Man with a Warm Heart, Jesus -2
Real Madrid kicked off the second half of the league season by plundering points through their infamous firepower diplomacy. Opposing teams had no choice but to grudgingly open their goalmouths, figuring that handing over the points peacefully might spare them a bloodbath.
While Real Madrid racked up points via firepower diplomacy, Mallorca—led by Yoo Youngbeom—erected an ironclad defense like the Cheokhwa Monument, squeezing out wins with suffocating, stingy defending to dream of Champions League qualification next season.
Unbeknownst to himself, Felix had become addicted to K-culture. He threw an arm around Yoo Youngbeom's shoulders and said,
"Hey! Youngbeom! Shibal! Jonna, you worked hard today too!"
Yoo Youngbeom nodded, pitying his teammate who only knew "shibal" and had taught him "jonna" as an upgrade.
"Haha, you too."
Mallorca grabbed a point with a 0-0 draw away at Atletico Madrid, then three more at home, climbing to 4th in the league behind Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atletico. Korean fans cheering Yoo Youngbeom multiplied rapidly, buzzing with anticipation for the upcoming Korean Derby.
While Korean soccer fans overseas buzzed with excitement for the Korean Derby, Real Madrid headed out on the road to Atletico Madrid.
Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid's Derby Madrileño kicks off at Atletico's home ground, Civitas Metropolitano.
Real Madrid kicks off. Up top in the starting XI: Korea's pride, striker Jesus.
Jesus passed the ball to Luis Garcia.
Atletico in 4-4-2, Real Madrid in 4-3-3.
Can Real Madrid pierce Atletico's shield? And right as I say that—Jesus grabs the ball and fires a one-touch pass to Iker Bravo on the wing!!
Real Madrid scoring chance!! Ah! Paulo Nesta cuts it out with a rough tackle! Real players swarm the ref in protest.
Yeah, they're saying that should've been a card.
Atletico players closing in now—trash talk flying everywhere.
Oh yeah—remember when Jesus was doing volunteer work and a kid asked him to score in an Atletico game and do that celebration?
Uh... delicate topic, but will Jesus score and pull it off? That's the question.
15th minute of the first half.
Luis Garcia took a pass and unleashed a screamer from distance, but the keeper's save led to a corner. Players crowded the box, mind games raging inside.
"Puta! Touch me one more time and I'll knock every damn tooth out of your head."
"Put your money where your mouth is, you loudmouth coward."
Watching the box drama from afar like it was a sideshow, Emile Zola approached. His boots gleamed unnaturally—brand new, no doubt.
"New kicks?"
"Huh? Oh? Yeah?"
I nodded at Emile Zola's reply. "Nah, just... got it. New boots, huh."
After his answer, those boots kept bugging me. New shoes meant injury risk...
As a Korean with warm-hearted DNA, ignoring someone else's misfortune wasn't easy.
Right on cue—fate or luck?—Luka Savic's cross hit Paulo Nesta's head and looped my way. Duel with Emile Zola.
He eyed the ball to clear it. I eyed his boot. I stepped. Victory mine, naturally.
I've said it a million times: Ball-watchers are third-rate. True first-class players watch the man.
"Aaaargh—!"
Leaving Emile Zola writhing and clutching his foot, I swung for goal. Balance off from the stomp, the ball shaved the post by a cabbage leaf's width.
Damn, so close!
While I rued the shot, Zola—down on the turf—waved his arms at the ref. No dice.
Eh. No goal, but good deed done. I nodded, satisfied.
"Puta! I can't get up!"
I ignored the whining behind me.
The game heated up. Emile Zola, back from treatment off the touchline, soon ate another rough Sergio Pepe tackle and limped off again.
"Goddamn it! How is that not a red?!"
Sideline, coach Josef Simeone raged at the linesman, earning a verbal warning from the ref.
Meanwhile, Atletico's assistant called over Diego Velazquez. They were high-volume pressing Jesus, cutting passes, fouling if needed.
"How's Paulo holding up? Looks okay?"
Paulo Nesta—Jesus's shadow—was priority one.
"Si."
No issues, said Diego Velazquez. Assistant's lips curled into a slow grin. Nod from Velazquez.
They figured their plan was working perfectly.
89th minute of the second half.
Atletico Madrid 1-0 Real Madrid.
Atletico fans, hyped, mocked Real's ace—shut out by Paulo Nesta all game.
"Jesus! He's nothing!"
"Just some schmuck blocked by God's wall!"
Full time hit, stoppage kicked in. Civitas Metropolitano lit up with red flames. Chants erupted.
"Atleti, Atleti, Atlético de Madrid!"
"Atleti, Atleti, Atlético de Madrid!"
Players and fans alike had no doubt: Derby victory theirs.
And that's when Jesus moved.
"...!! Nunu!! Watch out!!"
Atletico's momentary lapse—Jesus clean-tackled the ball away. Real counter instant.
Sub Jesus Gonzalez exploited space with pace. Jesus dodged a lunge, hit the through-ball, sprinted into the box.
Gonzalez shrugged off Wilfred Singo, cut back—Jesus redirected home. Snatched the ball, bolted to center circle.
Five seconds flat. Atletico stunned on victory's doorstep. Stadium vibe iced over.
Jesus's goal exploded the commentators covering the Derby Madrileño.
Jesus!! Jesus, Jesus scores!!
What a tackle, pass, shot! Atletico loses focus for a split second—perfect steal, spots the run, through-ball to Jesus Gonzalez. Jesus hares into the box, one-touch redirect off the cutback. Gutting for Atletico—they had the win in sight.
Exactly. Whoa! Jesus doesn't celebrate—grabs the ball and heads straight for center circle!
Yes! Full time, everyone wrote off Real—and only Jesus refused to quit!
Yorente quick kickoff, Atletico pushing—but momentum's swung to Real.
Ah...! Atletico too hasty! Jorge's pass picked off by Alejandro Jimenez!
Jimenez launches to Roberto Fabian! Real counter! 3v3!
Roberto Fabian! Options galore!!
Roberto Fabian!! Threads to Jesus!!
Jesus!!! Rounds the keeper!! Pass-like shot to goal!!
GOOOOOOAL! Jesus scores!!
Real Madrid!! Real Madrid turns it around!!!!!
Wait! Where's Jesus heading?!
Net rippling, Jesus bolted straight to the corner flag. Furious Atletico fans "welcomed" him. He stared them down, pressed his middle finger to his temple, winked one eye.
"Heh! Fooled ya! I let ya feel good for a sec!!!"
The man with a warm heart, Jesus. He'd kept his promise to that kid: Give Atletico the finger.